Page 23 of First Down Promise

“Remind me to put money on a game next time we play,” Dane teases as he leans over to line his pool stick up with the cue ball.

I chuckle and reach for my glass. “Oh, shut up, man.”

Pete’s been on bartending duty this evening, making us smoked whiskeys with sphere-shaped ice and orange peels. The way he keeps handing us fresh drinks, we’re all going to be crashing in his guest rooms tonight. We rarely get to let loose during the season unless it’s bye week, which isn’t for another month.

“He’s got a point, man,” Coop replies.

Pete puts my refilled glass and Dane’s on the bar and walks from behind it when it’s his turn. “Are we actually keeping score?” Pete asks.

Dane straightens and chalks the end of the stick. “No idea,” he answers, but he’s probably keeping score mentally.

“So, where’s Abby tonight?” Coop asks as Pete bends to hit a ball.

“On a date. Courtesy of number eighty-one.”

I make eye contact with Pete as Coop and Dane both turn to look at me. Coop’s mouth tightens, giving away the hurt he’s trying to hide, while Dane’s pool stick goes still in his hand.

“She mentioned wanting to meet new people. That’s all,” I quietly answer. I reach for my glass and take a long sip, reveling in the burn as it makes its way down my throat. The smoke flavor doesn’t register as I let the liquid continue to numb me.

“I’m sure someone on the squad could have introduced her to—” Dane starts, but I interrupt him.

“No, she told me she’s only made one friend on the squad,” I say. Someone else setting her up is a scenario I’ve already had nightmares about.

“You guys think Abby would be fine if I brought a girl back here?” Pete asks.

My brain needs an extra beat to process what he said because I thought I heard him ask about Abby bringing a guy home.

“That’s random,” Coop says.

“I haven’t had anyone here like that since she moved here.” Pete crosses his arms.

I scoff and interrupt him. “That’s not true. I’ve seen you bring people back to your room after your parties.”

“Well, yeah, I’ve gotten my dick wet, of course.”

“Don’t we all?” Dane says. A mischievous smile hits his face, and he nods at me.

My jaw tightens. “What, Dane?” I ask.

Coop elbows me. “Like you’ve ever had trouble finding company just for the night?” he asks with a loud laugh.

“Dude, not this shit again,” I snap. I haven’t been with anyone since the model last spring. She was cool, gorgeous, but not quite right. None of them were. “Why are you asking this, Pete? Talking to someone?”

Pete shakes his head. “No, just feeling like something is missing.”

“Would you mind if she brought a guy here?” Dane asks. How dare you?

Pete scoffs. “She wouldn’t bring a guy here. Besides, I pay for this house.”

“You sound like her dad,” Dane replies. “Now that she’s going out on dates—”

Pete scrunches his face. “I’d hope one of them would have their own place to take her to. But also, ew.”

“She’d probably feel the same way about you with some random girl here,” Coop adds.

“But it’s my house. What do you think, Kenzie?” Pete asks me.

I put my hands up. “I don’t know, Pete. Do what you want. Who cares?”